In Bargnani’s absence, however, the Knicks have finally seemed to hit their stride. They’ve won four straight games without the seven-footer by an average of more than 23 points per game. They blew out the reeling Cleveland Cavaliers, 117-86, on Thursday.

In five games prior with the Italian big man, New York lost all five contests.

The Knicks have thrived by utilizing a small-ball lineup that puts Carmelo Anthony at power forward and uses dual point guards in Raymond Felton and Pablo Prigioni.

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Carmelo Anthony is averaging 37.5 points per game since Andrea Bargnani's injury.

“The small lineup, we know that that works,” head coach Mike Woodson said, per Berman’s article. “Hey I don’t know if we’ll go away from it this time.”

Why Woodson ever strayed away from small-ball rotations in the first place is a complete mystery, because they were the crux of last year’s team that finished the regular season with a 54-28 record.

Additionally, two of the Knicks’ three lineups that have surrendered fewer than one point per possession from opponents in 2013-14 feature ‘Melo at the 4, according to 82games.com. So even the defense has played better in such situations.

“I have no idea (on a return date),” Bargnani added, per Berman. “It’s a ligament broke and you see how it heals and how strong the arm gets. You got to make sure it’s 100 percent. I really don’t know the timeline.”

Considering how well the Knicks have played without the big man in the lineup, his setback may ultimately enhance the lowly Knicks' team chemistry.